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The Fathers who led the Sabha

Konatt Geevarghese Mar Julius Metropolitan 1829-1884 Konatt Geevarghese Mar Julius Metropolitan was born in 1829 to Konatt Mathan and Palapallil Valiyaveetil Kunjalachar of Pampakuda. In 1875 he was ordained as Ramban by His Holiness Patriarch Peter III. On 3 December 1876, at North Paravur Church he was given the title "Konatt Geevarghese Mar Julius" and was appointed Metropolitan of Thumpamon diocese. Due to health problems, he was not able to conduct diocesan administration for long. He was very interested in learning and teaching Syriac and also in enriching the Syrian Literature and printing Syriac books. In 1879 a printing press for the syriac language was started in Pampakuda. After his demise on 12 March 1884, he was laid to rest in Pampakuda. Valiayapalli. Anniversary: March 22. Mikhael Mar Dionysius Metropolitan: 1880-1956 Mikhael Mar Dionysius Metropolitan was one of the fearless Metropolitans who lead the Malankara church through a time of great crisis. He was born in 1880 (Edavam 15), as the son of Alummoottil John Upadeshi of Kayankulam.Mikhael was summoned by Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius, the Malankara Metropolitan, who had arrived at the Kadisha church at Kayankulam and was ordained a deacon on Christmas day at the age of 18. Mikhail accompanied Mar Dionysius to Kottayam where he continued his education at M.D. Seminary and Old Seminary. He was ordained "shamshono" by Parumala Mar Gregorius and on Chingam 15, 1910 was ordained priest by Vattasseril Mar Dionysius. Fr.Mikhael served as member on the Kayamkulam town improvement committee and later in the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha. When schism rent apart the Malankara Syrian Church, Mikhail Kasheesho stood steadfast in his loyalty to the Patriarchate of Antioch. In September 1927, Mikhail Kasheesho was ordained Metropolitan Mar Dionysius by Patriarch Elias III. Mar Dionysius led a very simple life, giving away much of his possessions to the poor and needy. He was the founder of the Malankara Sunday School Association. Until his death on January 18, 1956, Mar Dionysius was considered a pillar of strength for the church. His mortal remains are interred at Panampady church. Anniversary: January 18. Alvarez Mar Julius Metropolitan: 1887-1913 Alvarez Mar Julius Metropolitan Fr. Alvarez was the Catholic priest who in 1887 left Goa and Ceylon and joined the Malankara Syrian church. Parumala Mar Gregorios Metropolitan ordained him as Ramban. On 29 July 1889 at the Old Seminary Kottayam, he was elevated as Metropolitan Alvarez Mar Julius. This staunch freedom fighter of Goa and watch guard of the Church held on Zealously to the True Faith. He had to suffer a lot of persecution at the hands of the Portuguese for having accepted the Orthodox faith. On his passing away 23 September 1913 he was interred in Goa. His relics were on 5 October 1979 shifted to St. Mary's church, Panjim. Anniversary: 23 September. Yuyakim Mar Ivanios Metropolitan 1858-1925 Yuyakim Mar Ivanios Metropolitan was born in 1858 in the 'Karottuveetil house' Kandanad. He learned Syriac, canons and beliefs of the church under the disciplined training of Konatt Julius Thirumeni. He received his deaconship and priesthood from His Grace Mar Julius. He stayed for long periods in the Old Seminary and in the Parumala Seminary. At Jerusalem, he was ordained as Ramban by His Holiness Patriarch Abdulla. When Patriarch Abdulla came to Malankara and demanded temporal authority, he joined hands with Vattaseril Mar Dionysius and stiffly resisted the move of the Patriarch. On 9 February 1913 at the Old Syrian church, Chengannur he was elevated as Metropolitan Yuyakim Mar Ivanios. He took up the administrative responsibilities of the Thumpamon and Kandanad dioceses. He left for his heavenly abode on 6 June 1925. He was laid to rest in Parumala to the West of where Parumala Mar Gregorios was interred. Anniversary: 6 June. Puthencavu Geevarghese Mar Philexinos Metropolitan 1897-1951 Puthencavu Geevarghese Mar Philexinos Metropolitan was born on 10 June 1897 as the third son of Thomas Kathanar of Puthencavu Kizhekethalackal family. He took his M.A and B.D. degree and he received his deaconship and priesthood from Vattaserril Geevarghese Mar Dionysios Metropolitan. He was made Ramban on 6 November 1929. On 3 November 1930 at Parumala church, he was consecrated as Geevarghese Mar Philexions Metropolitan of Thumpamon diocese. He toiled for the overall growth of Thumpamon diocese and also for the prosperity of the Catholicate. He founded several schools. On 17 April 1951 he passed interred in St. Mary's Church, Puthencavu. Anniversary : 17 April. Paulose Mar Sevarios Metropolitan 1910-1962 Paulose Mar Sevarios Metropolitan was born on 6 November 1910 as the son of Kunjityappan and Elijiya of Muliyirikal family of the Cherai Valiyapalli diocese. He received the deaconship in 1926, the priesthood in 1930 and on 19 August 1934 was made of Ramban by Metropolitan Paulose Mar Athanasios at Thrikunnath Seminary, Aluva. In 1939, he founded the Sion Ashram in Koratty. On 4 August 1946, His Holiness Patriarch Aphrem consecrated him as Metropolitan Paulose Mar Sevarios and put him in charge of Kochi diocese. He passed away on 17 March 1962 at Arthatt and was laid to rest in St. Mary's Puthenpalli, Arthatt. Kuriakose Mar Gregorios Metropolitan 1885-1965 Kuriakose Mar Gregorios Metropolitan As the sixth son of pezhemattom Chackochen and Illayachi of Pampady, he was born on 5 April 1885. He learned the Scriptures and Syriac under the disciplined tutorship of Vattaserril Geevarghese Malpan in Old Seminary, Kottayam . He received his deaconship on 5 February 1899, his priesthood on 28 July 1906 and the next day made Ramban by Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasios. On 16 February 1929, he was consecrated the Metropolitan of Kottayam diocese with the title 'Kuriakose Mar Gregorios'. As Metropolitan of Kottayam diocese, he held its administrative responsibilities for thrity five years. It was in Pampady Dayara, that he breathed his last on 5th April 1965. His mortal remains were interred in the Dayara Church at Pampady. Thirumeni's pocket watch also stopped exactly at 02:35 hrs at the time of his last breath and the same is still displayed at "Pothenpuram Dayara" of Pampady, Kottayam Dist along with the other belongings of Thirumeni. Although Thirumeni is still not declared as a Saint formally by the church, as experienced by many of us, he is a Saint in the true sense. There is testimony and as experienced by many, all the faithful's calls/prayers are answered by Thirumeni promptly, the same way he was taking care of the needy (irrespective caste,creed, religion etc) during his life time. Thirumeni's Perunnal is celebrated regularly in a simple but appropriate way in our churches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi also. Pampady Thirumeni's biography written by Prof. K.M Kuriakose and Published by Indiana Publications should be read by all, especially our children. It will really be a devine experience. Anniversary: 5th April, Perunnal of H.H Kuriakose Mar Gregoriose (Popularly known as Pampady Thirumeni). Alexios Mar Thevodhosios Metropolitan 1888-1965 Alexios Mar Thevodhosios Metropolitan On August 28, 1888 was born Mar Theodosios, known as M.M.Alexander alias Chandy, in the traditionally priestly family of Mattackal at Niranam to parents Mathai and Kunjadamma.He had his school education at Mar Gregorios Memorial High School, Thiruvalla and Mar Dionysius High School, Kottayam and College education (1912-15) in the C.M.S College Kottayam. At the age 0f 19 in 1907, Alexander was called to the Ministry of God and received ordination as Deacon. Dn.Alexander, following college education, joined Barisol Divinity College in East Bengal 1915 and later in 1918 Serampore for Theological studies. He received his deaconship from Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysios. In that year, Dn. Alexander was ordained a priest by Yuyakim Mar Ivanios at Parumala Seminary and called as Fr.Alexios. While at Serampore, Fr.Alexios had come in contact with Fr.PT.Geevarghese Panicker (Later Mar Ivanios) Both together established a unique monastry at Mundamala in Perinad near Ranni in 1918 at the 100 Acre land donated by E.J.John. This institution was named as Bethany. After Fr.Geevarghese Panickar joined Catholicism, Fr.Alexios alone worked with vigor and gave a new life to Bethany. Today Bethany has a complex of institutions of monastery, convent, schools and hospital. Meanwhile Fr.Alexios was elected as Metropolitan candidate by Malankara Association and was consecrated Metropolitan Alexios Mar Thevodhosios on April 7, 1938 by Catholicos Basalios Mar Geevarghese II at Karmel Dayara, Mulanthuruthy. Diocese of Quilon and the Outside Kerala were assigned to the Metropolitan's charge. In 1957 Mar Alexios formed the Indian Orthodox Mission at Madras. Mar Theodosios also had taken keen interest in representing the Malankara Church in International Inter-Church forums and projecting its image to western Churches. Till 1953 he was a member of Central Committee of WCC He left for his heavenly abode on 6 August 1965. His mortal remains are interred in Bethany Ashram Perunad. Anniversary: 6th August. Geevarghese Mar Gregorios Metropolitan 1889-1966 Geevarghese Mar Gregorios Metropolitan was born to Thomas and Sosamma of Paiyanadath Vayaliparampil family in Nedumbaserri, Angamaly on 17 July 1889. He took his B.A degree from U.C.College, Aluva. He received his priesthood from Paulose Mar Athanasios. On August 1946 at the Patriarch Church in Homes, His Holiness Patriarch Aphrem I ordained him as Metropolitan with the title 'Geevarghese Mar Gregorios'. He became the Metropolitan of the Angamaly Diocese on 27 January 1953. His demise was on 6 November 1966. He was laid to rest in Thrikunnath Seminary, Aluva. Anniversary: 6 November. Pathrose Mar Osthathios Metropolian 1886-1968 Pathrose Mar Osthathios Metropolian: It was on 20 June 1886 that he was born to Cherian Puravathen and Kunjumariamma of Mookencheril family in Thripunithra. He took his B.A; L.T and B.Ed degrees .He was ordained as priest on 4 May 1926 byYuyakim Mar Ivanios. In 1943 His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II ordained him as Ramban. On 15 May 1953, he was consecrated as Metropolitan Pathrose Mar Osthathios. He became the head of the Malabar Diocese. On 14 September 1924 he founded the "Sleebadasa Samooham" and gave leadership to missionary activities. He left for his eternal abode on 2 February 1968 and was laid to rest in Carmel Dayara. Anniversary: 2 February. Thoma Mar Dionysios Metropolitan 1910-1962 Thoma Mar Dionysios Metropolitan was born into the family of Kallumpurath in Mavelikara on 8 June 1887 as the son of Mathew and Aleyamma. In 1937 he pursued higher studies in Theology at Oxford University. He received his deaconship from His Holiness Geevarghese II in 1934 and this was followed by his elevation as Ramban in 1937. On 6 May 1940 he was consecrated as Metroplitan Thoma Mar Dionysios. In 1944 he was made Metropolitan of Niranam diocese. He was a scholar and powerful orator. He founded the monastic order in Pathanapuram and Thumpamon and also many other institutions. He passed away on 3 December 1972 and was laid to rest in Mount Tabor Dayara in Pathanapuram. Anniversary: 3rd December. Yuhanon Mar Athanasios Episcopa 1889-1980 Yuhanon Mar Athanasios Episcopa: was born on 21 March 1928 to Vadakkal Varkey and Annamma of Chakkalaparambil family in Kottayam.He went for higher studies in Theology at Merphildil in England. On 14 June 1956 he was ordained as priest by Mathews Mar Athanasios.On 15 May 1978 Baselios Mar Thoma I Mathews Catholicos of the East consecrated him as Yuhanon Mar Athanasios at Pazhanji Church. He became the auxiliary Metropolitan of Kottayam diocese. He passed away on 2 October 1980. As he was a member of the Bethany Ashram in Perunad, Ranni, he was laid to rest at Perunad. Anniversary: 2 October. Click here to Continue "Please send pictures of our forefathers if you have"

	Fr. Johnson Punchakonam(vicar) St.Mary's Orthodox Church Nalanchira Post,Trivandrum Ph:+91-471-443939